Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig HillRound nineteen preview - Storm vs Raiders
July 21st 2007 01:22
VENUE and TIME: Olympic Park, 7:30pm AEST, Saturday July 21
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 20, Storm 15, Raiders 5
LAST TIME: Storm 32 - Raiders 16 at Canberra Stadium, round 2, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Storm welcome back Greg Inglis, who has recovered from a knee injury sustained in Origin III and will start at five-eighth. Second-rower Michael Crocker is expected to return from a shoulder injury in round 22, while Antoni Kaufusi (knee) won’t play again this season.
The Raiders have a host of talent unavailable, with representative forwards Neville Costigan (broken hand) and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (leg) set to return over the next fortnight. Utility Matt Bickerstaff is scheduled to return in round 21 from a troublesome leg injury, while exciting youngster Adrian Purtell will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury. Prop Scott Logan (hip) and centre Phil Graham (shoulder) are under an injury cloud, but are both expected to play this Saturday night.
FORM:
The Storm seem to be finding their best from at the right end of the season, winning their past six games to kick four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder. Melbourne stretched their imposing home record to 25 wins out of their past 26 games at Olympic Park last Monday night with a 44-0 demolition of the Knights. Explosive attack is the secret to the Storm’s premiership charge, with the Melbourne team crossing for 81 tries this season - ten more than their closest rivals, the Manly Sea-Eagles.
Canberra snapped a four-game losing streak with a 56-10 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans last Sunday. The win over the Titans keeps the Raiders in semi-final contention, with Canberra currently occupying 13th place on the NRL ladder with a 7-10 win-loss record.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Cameron Smith vs Lincoln Withers
Winning the ruck battle is crucial in the modern day game, and this Saturday night clash will highlight two of the games best exponents of the dominant ruck play.
Widely regarded as the best number nine in the game, Smith provides the Storm with a third attacking option aside from creative halves Cooper Cronk and Inglis. Possessing the best dummy half kicking game in the game, Smith’s vast array of attacking skills is complimented by his terrier like defence. With the Raiders sure to be concentrating on stopping the Storm forward juggernaut, look for Smith to run riot out of the dummy half position.
A lot of Canberra’s attacking thrust is based around the play-making skills of Withers, with the talented number nine often taking control of the Raiders attack when inside the opposition red zone. Look for the elusive number nine to target the weary legs of Ben Cross and Brett White at the back ends of each half.
Billy Slater vs William Zillman
The clash between these two electric fullbacks is sure to be a highlight, with both custodians possessing the individual brilliance to break through the strongest defences.
Returning only a fortnight ago from a broken cheek bone, Slater was back to his brilliant best against the Knights last Monday night, crossing for two tries in a breathtaking performance. One of the Storm’s best all season, Slater’s kick returns always allow the tireless Melbourne forwards to start their sets of six in good field position.
Zillman has been at his elusive best this season, with his raw pace and ability to spot a defensive hole setting up several try-scoring opportunities for the Raiders. Zillman’s positional play has also been a highlight, with the flying number one invariably mowing down clearing kicks on the full, allowing his side to start their sets of six in good field position. The Raiders custodian is Canberra’s leading try scorer with nine this season.
VERDICT:
With both teams registering massive scores last weekend, expect to see plenty of attacking rugby league on display at Olympic Park this Saturday night. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy possesses arguably the quickest backline in the competition; with the Storm back five crossing for 47 tries so far this season. This match sees the most attacking side in the competition take on the Raiders, who are the third worst defensive side in the NRL – a comprehensive win for the Storm is the only realistic outcome.
Storm by 20.
Melbourne Storm Team
Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt King, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ben Cross, Cameron Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson
Bench:
Jeff Lima, Adam Blair, Clint Newton, Anthony Quinn, James Aubusson, Garrett Crossman
Canberra Raiders Team
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Colin Best, Bronx Goodwin, Todd Carney, Michael Dobson, Troy Thompson, Lincoln Withers, Scott Logan, Nigel Plum, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue ©
Bench:
Marshall Chalk, Dane Tilse, Josh Miller, Michael Weyman, Joe Picker
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 20, Storm 15, Raiders 5
LAST TIME: Storm 32 - Raiders 16 at Canberra Stadium, round 2, 2007
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Storm welcome back Greg Inglis, who has recovered from a knee injury sustained in Origin III and will start at five-eighth. Second-rower Michael Crocker is expected to return from a shoulder injury in round 22, while Antoni Kaufusi (knee) won’t play again this season.
The Raiders have a host of talent unavailable, with representative forwards Neville Costigan (broken hand) and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (leg) set to return over the next fortnight. Utility Matt Bickerstaff is scheduled to return in round 21 from a troublesome leg injury, while exciting youngster Adrian Purtell will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury. Prop Scott Logan (hip) and centre Phil Graham (shoulder) are under an injury cloud, but are both expected to play this Saturday night.
FORM:
The Storm seem to be finding their best from at the right end of the season, winning their past six games to kick four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder. Melbourne stretched their imposing home record to 25 wins out of their past 26 games at Olympic Park last Monday night with a 44-0 demolition of the Knights. Explosive attack is the secret to the Storm’s premiership charge, with the Melbourne team crossing for 81 tries this season - ten more than their closest rivals, the Manly Sea-Eagles.
Canberra snapped a four-game losing streak with a 56-10 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans last Sunday. The win over the Titans keeps the Raiders in semi-final contention, with Canberra currently occupying 13th place on the NRL ladder with a 7-10 win-loss record.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Cameron Smith vs Lincoln Withers
Winning the ruck battle is crucial in the modern day game, and this Saturday night clash will highlight two of the games best exponents of the dominant ruck play.
Widely regarded as the best number nine in the game, Smith provides the Storm with a third attacking option aside from creative halves Cooper Cronk and Inglis. Possessing the best dummy half kicking game in the game, Smith’s vast array of attacking skills is complimented by his terrier like defence. With the Raiders sure to be concentrating on stopping the Storm forward juggernaut, look for Smith to run riot out of the dummy half position.
A lot of Canberra’s attacking thrust is based around the play-making skills of Withers, with the talented number nine often taking control of the Raiders attack when inside the opposition red zone. Look for the elusive number nine to target the weary legs of Ben Cross and Brett White at the back ends of each half.
Billy Slater vs William Zillman
The clash between these two electric fullbacks is sure to be a highlight, with both custodians possessing the individual brilliance to break through the strongest defences.
Returning only a fortnight ago from a broken cheek bone, Slater was back to his brilliant best against the Knights last Monday night, crossing for two tries in a breathtaking performance. One of the Storm’s best all season, Slater’s kick returns always allow the tireless Melbourne forwards to start their sets of six in good field position.
Zillman has been at his elusive best this season, with his raw pace and ability to spot a defensive hole setting up several try-scoring opportunities for the Raiders. Zillman’s positional play has also been a highlight, with the flying number one invariably mowing down clearing kicks on the full, allowing his side to start their sets of six in good field position. The Raiders custodian is Canberra’s leading try scorer with nine this season.
VERDICT:
With both teams registering massive scores last weekend, expect to see plenty of attacking rugby league on display at Olympic Park this Saturday night. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy possesses arguably the quickest backline in the competition; with the Storm back five crossing for 47 tries so far this season. This match sees the most attacking side in the competition take on the Raiders, who are the third worst defensive side in the NRL – a comprehensive win for the Storm is the only realistic outcome.
Storm by 20.
Melbourne Storm Team
Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt King, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ben Cross, Cameron Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson
Bench:
Jeff Lima, Adam Blair, Clint Newton, Anthony Quinn, James Aubusson, Garrett Crossman
Canberra Raiders Team
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Colin Best, Bronx Goodwin, Todd Carney, Michael Dobson, Troy Thompson, Lincoln Withers, Scott Logan, Nigel Plum, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue ©
Bench:
Marshall Chalk, Dane Tilse, Josh Miller, Michael Weyman, Joe Picker
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